Embracing Advent: Hold on to HOPESample

HOPE AMIDST GRIEF

During this holiday season, many of us face sadness. In fact, even if things are going really well in our lives, for many people, the holidays have a way of resurfacing all kinds of past pain. 

Maybe you are missing a loved one who will not be with you this Christmas or are mourning a relationship that has been fractured or broken. Maybe the family gatherings are difficult for you, or perhaps you feel left out in the cold when others come together to celebrate.

When we consider HOPE, we often think of a positive outlook. We believe that hope is a feeling that should erase sadness, instead of an emotion to come alongside it.

In the book of John, we find the story of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. And it is here that we find the shortest verse in the Bible:

Jesus wept. 

– John 11:35 (ESV)

We do not know exactly why He wept, except that He was deeply moved.

Perhaps He wept in sorrow in the presence of death, a symptom of a fallen world. Perhaps He wept in sympathy for his friends Mary and Martha as they mourned the passing of their brother. Perhaps He wept because a tragedy needed to occur for a miracle to happen. But this verse is clear… Jesus was moved to tears.

And here is what strikes me… Jesus wept — even knowing that, just moments later, he would raise Lazarus from the dead! Jesus wept during his grief and sadness, even as He had hope.

The God of the universe, fully aware that this situation would be resolved in moments, fully aware that the story was not over, fully aware that good was just around the corner… wept.

Whatever situation you find yourself in this season, God sees you in your grief. He is deeply moved. In fact, I believe that He weeps with you today, just as He wept with his friends. 

And He offers HOPE. Hope that the story is not over. Hope in an outcome you could not predict. Hope that life and miracles can come from death and darkness. Hope that you are not alone in your tears. 

The LORD is there to rescue

all who are discouraged

and have given up HOPE. 

– Psalm 34:18 (CEV)

This Advent season, if you find yourself discouraged, let Jesus sit with you in your grief, weep with you in your sadness, and comfort you in your pain. He shares in your suffering today even as He knows what lies ahead and offers HOPE.